What to Know When Hiring European Developers

Mar 7

There are many extraordinary SaaS developers living in Europe who would be great additions to your remote team, and below are some helpful tips for hiring in Europe.

Understand the language barrier: While many Europeans speak English fluently, it's important to recognize that there may still be some language and cultural barriers that you'll need to navigate. Make sure to communicate clearly and effectively and be patient if there are any misunderstandings.
Consider time zone differences: Depending on where your European developers are located, there may be significant time zone differences to keep in mind. Make sure to establish clear working hours and expectations to ensure everyone is on the same page. Some questions to ask yourself:
- Where is most of my dev team already located?
- Am I hiring a junior dev (needs more hand holding) or someone more senior who can work asynchronously
- Will this person attend daily stand ups? If so, pick a timezone that is compatible so you have long term success.
Understand local employment laws: Europe has a complex system of employment laws and regulations, so it's important to understand the legal requirements and obligations for employers in the country where your developers are based.
- Many hire as full time contractors to help with this factor.
Look for cultural fit: As with any team, it's important to find developers who are a good cultural fit for your organization. Take the time to get to know your potential hires and make sure they share your values and work style.
- What’s the rest of my engineering team like? What are their hobbies? Communication styles? Who will “fit” with your team?
Pay attention to technical skills: Of course, technical skills are also critical when hiring developers. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the specific skills and expertise you're looking for and thoroughly evaluate candidates to ensure they meet your requirements.
- Our Scorecard can help you define the role.
- Typically you want someone who’s flexible and not fixed on one specific tech stack (although being an expert is great make sure they’re open to learning new things)
Consider remote work capabilities: With the rise of remote work, it's becoming more common for companies to hire developers from all over the world. If you're open to remote work, consider whether your European developers have the technical and communication skills necessary to work effectively from a distance.
- Have they worked remotely before? With a global team?
- What was leadership like there? How big was the dev team?
- How do they feel about working on a small team?
Stay up to date on industry trends: Finally, be aware of the latest trends and developments in the European tech industry. This will help you stay competitive and attract top talent.
Ready to hire your European Developer? Learn how we can help.